Riding Out The Storm(Chords)

	        
C                  
The New York City winter comes in cold grey sheets of steel 
Am 
The numbness in his hands and feet is all that he can feel 
F                                     C                   Am 
Alcohol and sterno turns a doorway to a bed 
C                                                                  G                 Am 
And the ghost of who he might have been lives on inside his head 
 
In a canyon made of brownstone on a sidewalk icy black 
He wanders nearly barefoot with his righteousness in tact 
A man of many mansions in a cardboard box replete 
He lies sleeping with an angel while his heart pretends to beat 
 
Refrain: 
 
F 
All the wind blows down on Lonely Street like an ice pick through the air 
Am 
Midst the Sunday times and coffee grinds and wino's in Times Square 
F                                                C                            Am          
Five flights up on Easy Street you know she's safe and warm 
C                                                         G                  Am 
Way down low neath a foot of snow he's riding out the storm 
 
I offered him my winter coat politely he refused 
Like an educated man he spoke with words I seldom use 
He said I don't need pity for these choices are my own 
He bowed his head just slightly and quietly moved along 
 
Refrain 
 
Solo 
 
Its not like he's a victim of the homeless life he stalks 
Nor helpless to get back across the fine line that he walks 
Riding out the storm means yesterday's already spent 
Tomorrow don't mean nothing it won't even make a dent 
 
{Thanks to [email protected] for tabs} 
 
 

	        

Written by Rodney Crowell